Steve Alexander

Waiver Wired

Wired: Hot NBA Pickups

Dudley is starting at small forward for the Suns and is finally living up to the hype we were giving him prior to the start of the season. He’s clocking in at 17 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.2 3-pointers over his last five games, is showing no signs of going back to the bench, and should be owned in all leagues.

Korver’s health will be a concern all year, but he’s healthy enough to be back in the Hawks’ starting lineup and averaging more than 12 points, nearly six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and 2.75 3-pointers over his last four games. As long as he’s healthy and playing for the Hawks, he’s going to rack up a lot of 3-pointers and has the ability to contribute across the board in fantasy.

Anderson is still coming off the bench, but is averaging 17 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.75 assists, 1.25 steals and three 3-pointers over his last four games. And if he ever does crack the Raptors’ starting five, look out. Terrence Ross is also worth a look in deeper leagues, averaging 10 points and 19 minutes per game over his last five.

Wright is suddenly relevant again in Philly, averaging 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.2 3-pointers and 29 minutes over his last five games. He scored 25 and 20 points in back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday, but he was also helped by the absence of Jrue Holiday, who is back from his foot injury. He’ll have to compete with Evan Turner and Jason Richardson for minutes, but as long as he’s getting 20 per game, he should put up serviceable numbers across the board.

Barnes has been hot for a couple weeks and is averaging 15 points, four rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 3-pointers, while shooting nearly 58 percent from the floor over his last five games. He’s getting 27 minutes a night and is productive enough across the board to be grabbed in all leagues right now, despite coming off the bench. And it doesn’t hurt that the Clips are one of just a few teams playing four times next week.

Ayon looks like the primary beneficiary in the absence of Glen Davis, who should miss at least a month with a shoulder injury. Ayon wasn’t doing much prior to Davis going down, but had 12 points, 13 rebounds and a steal on 4-of-4 shooting in 28 minutes on Friday. With Davis out for so long and Ayon’s solid numbers last season, he looks like a must-add player to me.

Thompson gets a boost with DeMarcus Cousins suspended indefinitely, although it doesn’t sound like the Kings will keep him out for too long. Cousins is also a serious trade candidate, which would also work in Thompson’s favor. JT’s averaging 11.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over his last five games, and is worth a pick up, with or without Cousins around.

Davis got off to a rocky start when Andrea Bargnani went down, but is starting to turn it on. He’s averaging 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocks over his last five games on 50 percent shooting. He may not be a must-own player, but he’s a safe pick up if you need a big man, and probably available in your league. Johnson is clocking in with similar averages over his last five: 8.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.8 blocks on 62 percent shooting in 28 minutes per game. The Raptors play three times in the upcoming week, and both big men are worth a look in most formats - especially now that center Jonas Valanciunas could miss a lot of time after breaking a finger on his shooting hand on Friday.

Thompson has seen a boost with Anderson Varejao missing games with a knee injury, but it doesn’t sound like Varejao will miss much more time going forward. He’s missed three straight and TT has double-doubled in all three of them, but also had 10 points in each of Varejao’s last two games before going down. That puts him at 11.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his last five, making him worth a look in many leagues. Just beware that his minutes will likely drop closer to 25 per game when Varejao is back, instead of the 35 he’s been getting in his absence.

Favors is checking in at 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, a steal and 1.6 blocks over his last five games, and is averaging nearly 26 minutes per game over his last three. He will always be limited as long as Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are healthy, but is a guy I like hanging onto in hopes that the Jazz trade a big man at some point this season.

Vucevic should also benefit from the absence of Glen Davis (shoulder) and was already having a pretty special season. He’s checking in at 12.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his last five games and has double-doubled in four of those. And without Davis around, he could be even better. Make sure he’s not available in your league.

Ro-Lo was struggling coming into last week, totaling just 14 points, four rebounds and zero blocks in games last Sunday and Tuesday, but exploded onto the scene on Wednesday when he had 22 points, nine boards and two blocks. He backed that one up with 10 points, six boards and a block on Friday, and went nuts on Saturday with 24 points, 11 boards, two steals and six blocks. He’s back and feeling it again, so make sure he wasn’t dropped in your league. Over his last five, he’s averaging 14 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.

Hawes is relevant again in Philly and should stay that way until Andrew Bynum finally shows his face. Then again, that’s still not guaranteed to happen, and Hawes is averaging 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.6 3-pointers over his last five games, hitting double figures in scoring in each of them. He’s getting 24 minutes per game and is a serviceable center if you need one.

Drummond continues to make some noise off the Pistons bench, but really needs more minutes to be in most starting lineups. He’s averaging 7.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over his last five games in 23 minutes per night, and those minutes have to keep inching upward for the dead-end Pistons. As usual, he’s a guy I like to keep at the end of my fantasy bench, just in case the explosion ever comes.

Biyombo’s scoring is still a concern, as he’s averaging just 6.6 points over his last five games, but he’s also chipping in with 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over that stretch. If you can afford to take the hit in scoring, he should be able to help owners in need of boards and blocks. But I doubt he’ll ever start averaging 10 points per game this season.

Jack blew up on Saturday night for season highs of 29 points and 11 assists, and nearly led the Warriors to a win over the Lakers. He was on the list in last week’s column and has racked up a whopping 19 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.2 3-pointers over his last five games. And this is with a healthy Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson playing in front of him. He’s not stealing the ball, but it really doesn’t matter. Jack should be owned in all leagues until further notice, and is in the mix to win the Western Conference Player of the Week award.

Derek Fisher asked for his release from the Mavericks in order to spend time with his family, clearing the way for Collison to return to the starting unit. He’s started in two straight games for the Mavs but left Friday’s game due to an illness. He should bounce back from his struggles when on the bench and if he was dropped in your league, he should be a hot pickup, as point guard options are limited in fantasy. He is averaging 12 points, six assists and a steal as a starter this season.

Thomas is starting to come on again for the Kings, although the absence of Tyreke Evans (knee) has been partly responsible. Thomas is still coming off the bench behind Aaron Brooks, but is averaging 15 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 3-pointers over his last five games. At some point, he’s probably going to be starting again for the Kings, which is what the players reportedly want to see happen. And when it does, he’ll be worth owning again in all leagues. Pick him up in weeklies, but just keep him on the bench as long as he’s still coming off of it in real life.

Ty Lawson left Saturday’s game with an Achilles injury, and while it’s being called “precautionary,” those injuries can be a little scary. Miller could see a boost in minutes if the Nuggets take it easy with Lawson, who played just 17 minutes in his last game. If it happens, Miller will become a must-own player. He is returning 13th-round fantasy value this season, but if Lawson is forced from the lineup, he'll be a nice short-term add. But obviously, his value will hinge directly on the health of Lawson.

Mo Williams left Saturday’s game with a sprained right thumb and X-rays were negative. This is the type of injury that could linger and affect his shot and ball handling, and Tinsley looks like the player who would benefit if Williams were to miss time. He’s a prospective add in deep leagues, but would only be worth it if Williams were to miss some games.

Crawford is the leading points scorer on my points-based team this week, averaging nearly 22 points, 5.75 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.5 3-pointers over his last four games, which included a triple-double on Tuesday. He’ll take a hit if and when John Wall returns, but should be owned and started in all leagues until further notice. The downside is that he’s shooting just 42 percent over those four games, but the rest of his numbers are fantasy gold and he’s in the running to win the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award.

Brown is feeling it as the starting shooting guard in Phoenix, averaging 17 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.8 3-pointers over his last five games, while shooting a very respectable 49 percent from the floor and 100 percent from the line over that stretch. As long as he’s starting for the Suns, he’s worth picking up in all fantasy leagues.

Meeks still isn’t starting at shooting guard for the Lakers, but it could be coming at some point in the near future. Even coming off the bench, he’s averaging 15.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 3.0 3-pointers in his last five games. Mike D’Antoni likes the way he spreads the floor and Meeks is a great add if you need threes.

Shved disappeared in a couple back-to-back games this week, but has also scored 12, 18 and 13 in three of his last five games. He just missed a triple-double on Thursday with 12 points, seven boards, 12 assists, a steal and two 3-pointers, and appears to be locked in as the starting shooting guard in Minnesota. He’ll have his share of off nights, but is worth owning in most leagues as long as he’s starting. Just keep in mind the Wolves only play twice this week.

Robinson is still coming off the bench behind a banged up Kirk Hinrich, but has still managed to average close to 10 points, 3.6 assists, a steal and 1.4 3-pointers over his last five. And if Hinrich ever goes down, you’ll be glad you’ve got Robinson on your team. I just wouldn’t start him in weekly leagues as long as Captain Kirk is healthy.

Dudley is starting at small forward for the Suns and is finally living up to the hype we were giving him prior to the start of the season. He’s clocking in at 17 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.2 3-pointers over his last five games, is showing no signs of going back to the bench, and should be owned in all leagues.

Korver’s health will be a concern all year, but he’s healthy enough to be back in the Hawks’ starting lineup and averaging more than 12 points, nearly six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and 2.75 3-pointers over his last four games. As long as he’s healthy and playing for the Hawks, he’s going to rack up a lot of 3-pointers and has the ability to contribute across the board in fantasy.

Anderson is still coming off the bench, but is averaging 17 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.75 assists, 1.25 steals and three 3-pointers over his last four games. And if he ever does crack the Raptors’ starting five, look out. Terrence Ross is also worth a look in deeper leagues, averaging 10 points and 19 minutes per game over his last five.

Wright is suddenly relevant again in Philly, averaging 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.2 3-pointers and 29 minutes over his last five games. He scored 25 and 20 points in back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday, but he was also helped by the absence of Jrue Holiday, who is back from his foot injury. He’ll have to compete with Evan Turner and Jason Richardson for minutes, but as long as he’s getting 20 per game, he should put up serviceable numbers across the board.

Barnes has been hot for a couple weeks and is averaging 15 points, four rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 3-pointers, while shooting nearly 58 percent from the floor over his last five games. He’s getting 27 minutes a night and is productive enough across the board to be grabbed in all leagues right now, despite coming off the bench. And it doesn’t hurt that the Clips are one of just a few teams playing four times next week.

Ayon looks like the primary beneficiary in the absence of Glen Davis, who should miss at least a month with a shoulder injury. Ayon wasn’t doing much prior to Davis going down, but had 12 points, 13 rebounds and a steal on 4-of-4 shooting in 28 minutes on Friday. With Davis out for so long and Ayon’s solid numbers last season, he looks like a must-add player to me.

Thompson gets a boost with DeMarcus Cousins suspended indefinitely, although it doesn’t sound like the Kings will keep him out for too long. Cousins is also a serious trade candidate, which would also work in Thompson’s favor. JT’s averaging 11.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over his last five games, and is worth a pick up, with or without Cousins around.

Davis got off to a rocky start when Andrea Bargnani went down, but is starting to turn it on. He’s averaging 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocks over his last five games on 50 percent shooting. He may not be a must-own player, but he’s a safe pick up if you need a big man, and probably available in your league. Johnson is clocking in with similar averages over his last five: 8.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.8 blocks on 62 percent shooting in 28 minutes per game. The Raptors play three times in the upcoming week, and both big men are worth a look in most formats - especially now that center Jonas Valanciunas could miss a lot of time after breaking a finger on his shooting hand on Friday.

Thompson has seen a boost with Anderson Varejao missing games with a knee injury, but it doesn’t sound like Varejao will miss much more time going forward. He’s missed three straight and TT has double-doubled in all three of them, but also had 10 points in each of Varejao’s last two games before going down. That puts him at 11.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his last five, making him worth a look in many leagues. Just beware that his minutes will likely drop closer to 25 per game when Varejao is back, instead of the 35 he’s been getting in his absence.

Favors is checking in at 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, a steal and 1.6 blocks over his last five games, and is averaging nearly 26 minutes per game over his last three. He will always be limited as long as Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are healthy, but is a guy I like hanging onto in hopes that the Jazz trade a big man at some point this season.

Vucevic should also benefit from the absence of Glen Davis (shoulder) and was already having a pretty special season. He’s checking in at 12.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over his last five games and has double-doubled in four of those. And without Davis around, he could be even better. Make sure he’s not available in your league.

Ro-Lo was struggling coming into last week, totaling just 14 points, four rebounds and zero blocks in games last Sunday and Tuesday, but exploded onto the scene on Wednesday when he had 22 points, nine boards and two blocks. He backed that one up with 10 points, six boards and a block on Friday, and went nuts on Saturday with 24 points, 11 boards, two steals and six blocks. He’s back and feeling it again, so make sure he wasn’t dropped in your league. Over his last five, he’s averaging 14 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.

Hawes is relevant again in Philly and should stay that way until Andrew Bynum finally shows his face. Then again, that’s still not guaranteed to happen, and Hawes is averaging 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.6 blocks and 0.6 3-pointers over his last five games, hitting double figures in scoring in each of them. He’s getting 24 minutes per game and is a serviceable center if you need one.

Drummond continues to make some noise off the Pistons bench, but really needs more minutes to be in most starting lineups. He’s averaging 7.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over his last five games in 23 minutes per night, and those minutes have to keep inching upward for the dead-end Pistons. As usual, he’s a guy I like to keep at the end of my fantasy bench, just in case the explosion ever comes.

Biyombo’s scoring is still a concern, as he’s averaging just 6.6 points over his last five games, but he’s also chipping in with 7.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over that stretch. If you can afford to take the hit in scoring, he should be able to help owners in need of boards and blocks. But I doubt he’ll ever start averaging 10 points per game this season.

Steve "Dr. A" Alexander is the senior editor for the NBA for Rotoworld.com and a contributor to NBCSports.com. The 2017-18 NBA season marks (at least) his 16th year of covering fantasy hoops for Rotoworld. Follow him on Twitter - @Docktora.Email :Steve Alexander